Indian Coast Guard
The Indian Coast Guard is a paramilitary outfit created to guard the country's vast coastline. The coast guard works closely with the Indian navy and the Indian Customs. India's coast guard has a large number of fast crafts including hovercrafts and hydrofoils. They patrol the seas, river mouths and also lakes in Kashmir bordering China.
The coastguard has performed a number of commendable tasks of rescuing distressed personnel as well as apprehending pirates on high seas. Heavy patrolling of sensitive areas such as Gujarat, West Bengal and Mumbai have resulted in a huge catch of smugglers and illegal immigrants.
Objectives
- To protect the ocean.
- Protect offshore wealth such as Oil, Fish and Minerals.
- Assist Mariners in distress.
- Safeguard life and property at sea.
- Enfore maritime laws with respect to sea, smuggling, narcotics, shipping and poaching.
- Assist the Indian Navy in times of war
Motto: Vayam Rakshamah -- We Protect
History
In 1974, the Government of India set out to create an autonomous coast guard to protect the nation's long coast line. This coast guard was modelled on the lines of the British and American coast guards.
The Indian Coast Guard was setup on February 1, 1978 equipped with modern weaponry and quick sea crafts.
Bases
The Coast Guard is headed by a Director General. Its headquarters is based in the capital, New Delhi. It has:
- 3 Regional headquarters at Mumbai, Chennai, and Port Blair
- 1 District Headquarters in each of the nine coastal states and 2 in the Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands.
- 4 Coast Guard Stations, one each at Vadinar, Okha, Tuticorin and Mandapam.
